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Donovan, Gordon help Galaxy top Chivas

Apr 27, 2008 - 6:33 AM CARSON, California (Ticker) -- Landon Donovan continued his great start to the season with a hat trick and Alan Gordon scored twice as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated Chivas USA, 5-2, on Saturday.

Gordon snapped a 2-2 tie in the 76th minute when he beat Chivas goalkeeper Brad Guzan with a header after Donovan's pass attempt was deflected high into the air by a Chivas defender. Guzan attempted to catch the ball, but was not aggressive enough and Gordon beat him to the punch.

Donovan then scored his third goal of the night and league-leading eighth of the season in the 78th minute and Gordon added another in the 84th minute to seal the win for the Galaxy (2-2-1).

"I'm trying to be more assertive and aggressive and I feel that I'm reaping the benefits of that," Donovan said. "I've been more aware of my opportunities and I'm taking them and it's paying off."

"(Donovan)'s scoring goals and that's what counts," said Beckham, who had an assist. "He's a special player. He proved tonight what he's able to do he's good in the box and from outside."

Donovan, who received a caution for a deliberate handball in the eighth minute, opened the scoring in the 16th when his left-footed shot from just outside the box found the far corner of the goal.

"It was a good game from the start, a scrappy game both teams trying to get the edge on the other," Chivas coach Preki said. "I would have to say that our sharpness in front of goal wasn't there. There was a lot of mistakes made tonight and they maximized on all of them and that was the difference tonight."

Sacha Kljestan answered with his third tally of the season after receiving a corner kick from Jonathan Bornstein, sending the clubs into the locker room tied at 1-1.

Donovan gave the Galaxy a 2-1 edge in the 59th minute as his sliding kick went just past the outstretched hands of Guzan and into the goal. But the lead was short-lived as Chivas (1-3-1) answered three minutes later.

Ante Razov deposited his shot from point-blank range into the open net after a Chivas rush pulled Los Angeles goalkeeper Steve Cronin out of position.

"I think it was a great match to watch," Galaxy coach Ruud Gullit said. "It was a game with a lot of ups and downs. I think we started really really well. We gave them the chances to get back in the game."